@cb4:
I don’t want to get into a legal debate and I am not an attorney, but I do have experience in this area related to the legalities of intellectual property. YG, what you propose to do in creating a single document containing rules and other supplementary information for distribution is not infringement of any copyright because of a principle called “fair use”. Most people don’t realize that no copyrighted work is protected just because it is copyrighted.
Basically, fair use allows a copyrighted work to be copied in whole or part as long as it is creatively enhanced with original material, or “transformed”. By creating a single document, a bible of G40 if you will, including house rules and other info like Cow’s playbooks, you are transforming the original rules into a new work that you can copyright yourself. The four criteria that govern fair use are listed below along with how your document can meet them (i.e. is not infringement under fair use):
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purpose: don’t profit by exploiting the copyrighted material
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nature: the work you are copying is factual (less protected)
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amount copied: copying all the rules is “reasonable and necessary in light of its intended use” but only copy what you need and not stuff like the cover page or any artwork or formatting
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market: current rules are free so no financial impact to copyright owner
Of course, you have to acknowledge the original copyright. Other than that, I see no reason why you cannot freely distribute the document you described. Would it hurt to ask for permission? No. Is it required to avoid legal entanglements? NO.
I had taken a looong break from G40 since I’m working on my PhD (Computer Science). This summer, I’m doing research so can schedule my time any way I want. I have time to play a few games with my group so went looking for the latest rules. Like you, I was frustrated by not being able to get all the latest info on the game in one document! I urge you to reconsider and publish your document once it is done. I would be glad to help out in any way I can.
cb4
CB4,
Thank you very much for your words of encouragement, after reading your post I researched a little about what you said… and it looks like I might be able to do this.
- If I 100% proceed NOT FOR PROFIT (absolutely no problem at all).
- If I cite all copyright material (easy pleaseee).
- If the purpose is educational (I found out this helps)
- If I ask those who download it to sign an affidavit saying that they own copies of 1940 (learned that from A&A.org member Ithaut).
- and if they also sign something saying that they will not profit.
Obviously, I only skimmed the web, but what I found out about “fair use”, and “shared use” has really encouraged me to move forward with customizing a “Global Bible” as you put it, and share it with my fellow A&A enthusiasts. I feel now that there is nothing to fear because my intentions are genuine and I know now that there are copyright areas that allow genuine people like myself who wish to modify materials provided on the web and share them without financial gain.
My only fear now is producing something viable and worthy… but I’m gonna try.